Lutherans and Episcopalians Together: A Guide to Understanding

Rating:
Summary: Relevant issues are thoroughly examined
Review: In Lutherans And Episcopalians Together: A Guide To Understanding, Scott Cady and Christopher Webber effectively collaborate to reveal the common Protestant Reformation heritage shared by Episcopalians and Lutherans. Relevant issues are thoroughly examined including what the two churches believe, how they worship, what leadership roles lay and ordained members have in each church, how bishops exercise their ministry in each church, and what the future holds respecting the newly emerging relationship between the two churches. The informative, "reader friendly" text is enhanced with "reflection questions" for each chapter, along with a "Resources for Further Study" section. Lutherans And Episcopalians Together is very highly recommended reading for Lutherans, Episcopalians, and anyone with an interest in contemporary efforts at reconciliation and cooperation within the modern Christian community.

Rating:
Summary: Not with a bang....
Review: The recent agreement reached [or should I say achieved?] by the Episcopal and Lutheran Churches in the United States has resulted in much less commentary that one would have thought for such an historic moment. One of the reasons for this relative silence is perhaps found in this slim volume. While both of these mainstream Protestant denominations were of great influence in the development of the American moral sense [yes, there really is such a thing], clergy of the post-Vietnam, post-civil rights movement seem to be "prophets" in search of a message or, more often than not, pastors in search of a flock. Behind the secular political ideology and the therapeutic terminology and syntax of this book lies an inescapable truth: These folks are just plain dull.

Whatever spark was once there, whatever propelled these two fine traditions forward into this conflicting new century seems to have been lost. Perhaps I am expecting too much from the authors, though. This was, after all, written by the pastors of two small, pre-dominantly Caucasian, middle-class congregations in rural Connecticut. They hardly represent the "cutting edge" of American Christianity. Also, this work was the result of a joint Lenten study program, which is hardly the hotbed of new and insightful commentary.

Take this book for what it is, then. The good news is that both of these men think and write simply. Cady, to his credit, is more accessible than Webber, who is sometimes pedantic. However, what I and many wait for in great and hopeful longing is that pure voice that will grow from these times and these traditions to once again inform and inspire all of us who seek the truth that is beyond all other. Until then, I guess we have to relish the prosaic.